The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a highly-maneuverable multi-role fighter aircraft. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]
Key Takeaways:
A Cessna pilot in Southern California inadvertently entered restricted airspace protecting President Biden, prompting an interception by two U.S. Air Force F-16s.
The F-16s used various tactics, including radio calls, flares, and a "headbutt" maneuver, to get the non-responsive pilot's attention before monitoring him until landing.
The FAA is investigating the incident, reminding pilots that checking Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) for Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) is mandatory, with potential sanctions for violations ranging from warnings to license revocation.
The pilot of a Cessna 182 over Southern California had an up-close look at a pair of U.S. Air Force F-16s last week when he violated restricted airspace set up for the protection of President Biden.
The airplane was identified as a 1973 182P Skylane, N58960. It is registered to 68-year-old Ed Regan of Torrance, California.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
